Elemental, Phenolic and Flavonoid Content, Antibacterial, Antiradical Properties, and Health Risk Assessment of honey samples from NEPAL

This study aimed to determine total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antiradical activity (DPPH) and element concentrations in 14 honey samples collected from different districts of Nepal. Spectrophotometric techniques were used to measure TPC, TFC, and DPPH. Similarly, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and agar well diffusion were used to analyze the metal content and antibacterial activity of honey samples, respectively. The TPC, TFC, and DPPH in honey samples ranged from 73.92 ± 5.11 to 170.75 ± 12.20 mg GAE 100 g ^− 1 , 1.08 ± 0.18 to 5.61 ± 0.59 mg QE 100 g ^− 1 , and 4.91 ± 0.26 to 49.83 ± 0.31 mg AAE 100 g ^− 1 . The average content (mg kg-1) of the elements in honey samples in orders: Mg (74.20) > Sn > Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Sr > Cu > Ba > Ni > Cr = Al > Mo = V (0.07). The non-essential elements Cd, Hg, As, Se and Co were below the detection limit. The risk assessment revealed that the honey samples do not pose a health risk. Several honey samples shown antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia and S. aureus at 50% and 25% concentrations, the honeys showed no antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and E. Faecalis .